SIM Card Guides

How to get an Iceland SIM card in 2025

A trip to Iceland is incomplete without a reliable connection. Explore Iceland SIM card options, prices, requirements, and a digital alternative solution.

Whether driving down Iceland’s iconic Ring Road, exploring black sand beaches, or scouting for puffins along the coast, staying connected to the internet is a travel essential. A reliable Iceland SIM card is a simple way to stay prepared and avoid high roaming charges.

This guide covers the top Iceland SIM card options, features, pricing, plans, and where to buy them. We’ll also explore unlimited data travel eSIMs, a hassle-free, instant way to stay connected without swapping physical cards.

In this article

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card for Iceland?

You have two options: buy a prepaid SIM card for Iceland before you travel, or once you arrive in person. However, to buy a physical SIM card for a local Icelandic provider, you’ll typically need to get it in person, as none of Iceland’s main mobile providers deliver SIM cards internationally.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card for Iceland before you travel

Sorting out your internet before your trip ensures instant connectivity and convenience as soon as you land. Third-party online retailers like SimOptions, Amazon USA, and SimCorner deliver travel SIM cards straight to your doorstep (including to the UK). However, you’ll be required to register and activate the SIM independently.

Where to buy a SIM card in Iceland after you land

You can also purchase an Iceland SIM card once you land and choose from local mobile providers (Síminn, Vodafone, or Nova). Find Iceland SIM cards at Keflavík International Airport, local convenience stores, retail shops in cities and towns, malls, and gas stations.

To buy a SIM card in Iceland as a tourist, you’ll need:

a valid passport (and a copy)
a working credit/debit card or local currency for payment
and sometimes, proof of accommodation/stay

More importantly, you must ensure your phone is unlocked to accept foreign carriers. Overall, the SIM card registration process will take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

Traveler’s tip: An eSIM offers the benefits of a physical SIM card while removing inconveniences such as long wait times and swapping physical SIM cards. Providers like Holafly offer unlimited mobile data plans with 24/7 multilingual support and flexible durations. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone (most are)!

How much does a SIM card cost in Iceland?

Prepaid SIM cards in Iceland range from 2000 ISK (~$15 USD) to 6000 ISK (~$45). The final price depends on your data, call, and text allowances.

The Iceland SIM card provider you choose can also impact price. Here are some popular carriers and their SIM card costs:

How much is a Síminn SIM card for Iceland?

Síminn’s costs are as follows:

Top-up (ISK 500-5,000): Pay-as-you-go credit that can be used for domestic calls, texts, and data, as well as international calls
Þrenna prepaid plan (ISK 2,900-3,900): Includes 10-25 GB of data, unlimited texts, and calls. Note: Activating this plan requires an Icelandic identification number (Kennitala).
Mobile internet data (ISK 800-5,800): Offers 500 MB-50 GB of data to use in Iceland and across the European Economic Area (EEA).

How much is a Vodafone SIM card for Iceland?

The main Vodafone tourist SIM is as follows:

Prepaid starter pack for ISK 1,790 (~$13) with 3 GB data

After using the initial data, you can top up with the following options:

10 GB: ISK 3,190 (~$23)
25 GB: ISK 5,190 (~$38)
50 GB: ISK 6,190 (~$45)

How much is a Nova Iceland SIM card?

Nova’s plans offer prepaid SIM cards with two key components:

Total data allowance: The full amount of data you can use, mainly in Iceland
Data for abroad: A portion of the total data specifically allocated for use within the EEA

Nova offers the following data-only packages, some of which are:

10 GB: Total 10 GB, with 5 GB usable in the EEA for 2,590 ISK (~$18)
100 GB: Total 100 GB, with 16 GB usable in the EEA for 5,590 ISK (~$39)
250 GB: Total 250 GB, with 22 GB usable in the EEA for 7,590 ISK (~$53)

How to buy an Iceland SIM card for tourists

To buy a SIM card in Iceland, it’s best to go with a proven provider. These companies have physical stores across the country, where a clerk will be on hand to help you with the eSIM setup process. Let’s look at the best prepaid SIM card choices in Iceland, and what stores you need to look at to get one:

Síminn SIM card for Iceland

Síminn is Iceland’s largest and oldest telecommunications company and offers a range of local SIM card plans for tourists, designed to suit various needs.

You can order a Síminn SIM card online with delivery to your accommodation or stay. Otherwise, you’ll find the kiosks at Keflavík International Airport, in the arrivals area.

Some other ways to get your Síminn Iceland SIM card for tourists include:

Retail stores like Smáralind (Hagasmára 1, Kópavogur) and Akureyri (Strandgata 3)
South Iceland: Post offices in Selfoss, Vestmannaeyjar, and more
North Iceland: Kaupfélag Skagfjörður in Sauðárkrókur, Raffo in Siglufjörður
West Iceland: Post offices in Akranes, Borgarnes, Stykkishólmur
East Iceland: Post offices in Egilsstaðir, Reyðarfjörður, Höfn

Vodafone SIM card for Iceland

Vodafone Iceland is a leading telecom provider offering extensive 4G coverage and services for locals and visitors.

It’s easy to buy a Vodafone Iceland prepaid SIM card for tourists, as there are official stores in Reykjavík, Kópavogur (Smáralind Mall), and Akureyri (Glerártorg Mall).

If you’re flying with Icelandair, you can even buy a Vodafone premium starter pack during your flight.

Other ways to buy your SIM include:

At Keflavík Airport, in the 10-11 shop or Elko store
10-11 convenience stores
N1 petrol stations
Tourist centers

Nova Iceland SIM card for tourists

Nova is a popular telecom provider in Iceland, offering affordable mobile internet packages with unlimited calls and SMS in Iceland and the EEA.

You can only get a Nova Iceland SIM card for tourists once you have arrived in Iceland. You’ll need to get your SIM from one of the following locations, in person:

Lágmúli, Reykjavík
Kjarninn, Selfoss
Kringlan Mall, Reykjavík
Glerártorg Mall, Akureyri
Smáralind Mall, Kópavogur

What you need to buy a SIM card in Iceland

Buying a SIM card as a tourist in a foreign destination has some requirements. To buy a SIM card in Iceland, you’ll need:

a valid passport (and a copy)
a working credit/debit card or local currency for payment
and sometimes, proof of accommodation/stay

More importantly, you must ensure your phone is unlocked to accept foreign carriers. Overall, the SIM card registration process will take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

If you’re not keen on waiting in long tourist queues to get connected, consider eSIMs over physical SIM cards — they’re fast, easy, and just as handy for your Icelandic adventure

Holafly’s eSIM for Iceland: Fast, unlimited, no hassle

Forget about plastic SIM cards, always-forgotten-at-home SIM ejector tools, lost SIM trays, and the unbearable process of switching SIMs in an airport abroad with Holafly’s Iceland eSIM. Enjoy:

Convenience: Download and activate a mobile plan directly on your phone and scan a QR code to install your eSIM
Peace of mind: Unlimited data usage and internet access for constant browsing, streaming, and navigation
Shared connection: Up to 500 MB per day as a hotspot to keep your travel companions connected
Extensive network coverage: Reliable coverage across cities like Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Vík, powered by Orange
Flexible and customizable plans: Customize your plan based on your stay. Prices start at just $6.90 for one day and drop to as low as $1.55 per day for a 90-day plan.
Holafly Plans: Get a monthly eSIM subscription plan with unlimited data and stay connected during long trips to 170+ destinations with just one plan.

Holafly eSIMs make staying connected simple. With unlimited data and eSIM setup in under five minutes, you can skip the lines and connect to the internet immediately!

Just scan the QR code and activate it when you land. Plus, Holafly’s eSIM plans cover over 200 destinations, so if Iceland is just the start of your adventure, you won’t need to juggle multiple SIM cards as you explore other countries.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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